Sambad Matamat

Cauvery Water Dispute: SC Asks GOI To Submit Draft Scheme By May 3

THE Supreme Court of India on Monday asked the Central government to frame a draft scheme by May 3 for implementation of the apex court’s judgment on distribution of Cauvery water between Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry. A Bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud asked the Centre to formulate the draft in pursuance of its 465-page judgment on the decades-old water dispute..”You have to frame the scheme and there is no escaping this task,” the Supreme Court told the Centre .The Supreme Court has also asked the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments to maintain law and order obviously referring to agitation in Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery water.  The court pulled up the centre for the delay in implementing its order before the March 31 deadline as directed by it. The SC was hearing the Centre’s plea seeking clarification on the February 16 verdict regarding setting up of a Cauvery management scheme on the decades old river water sharing dispute. The SC assured the Tamil Nadu government that it agrees with its grievances and criticised Centre for not acting promptly to draft a scheme within the stipulated period. The apex court said  on receipt  a draft scheme  from the GOI  on the setting up of the Cauvery Water Management Board (CWMB) and Monitoring Authority for ensuring monthly releases, it will   consult  Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Puducherry and Kerala.SC also  reprimanded The Central government for defying its orders on  ensuring  supply of  more water to Karnataka  to Tamil Nadu.The Centre had sought time beyond May 12 for framing the scheme  citing Assembly elections in Karnataka next month. The distribution of water between neighbouring southern states has been a contentious issue for decades and has turned politically volatile ahead of the assembly elections in Karnataka which will vote on May 12.The Centre fears that the law and order will be affected in Karnataka and neighbouring Tamil Nadu   to ensure free and fair poll if the judgement is misinterpreted by vested interests. The apex court said it considered the CWDT (Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal) award and decided the water share for states which has to be complied with. Meanwhile, people from all walks of life including cine world have joined hand to demand more water from Karnataka for drinking water and irrigation (inputs from The Indian Express)

 

 

 

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